[2009.12.03] TEDDY CHAN GETS HELP TO FINISH BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS

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The Teddy Chan Tak Sum directed, Peter Chan Ho Sun produced film BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING) will soon be released. The cast included Tony Leung Ka Fai, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Leon Lai Ming, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun), and Chris Lee Yuchun. Chan Tak Sum in an earlier interview expressed that aside from the film's large set construction, the hardest to control was gathering all the actors for the shoot. He said, "I can't possibly ask the actors to shave their heads. They only have two to three months and have their own jobs. Secondly is the investor's risk, without this large set the movie can't be made well no matter what."

Chan Tak Sum honestly said that during the shoot he asked Chan Ho Sun for help. Finally Andrew Lau Wai Keung also helped with a major scene. In order to complete his dream and make the movie well, he honestly said he did not mind. He did not even care if others talked because this was not a personal matter. The film was made for the audience. He said, "How many decades does a lifetime have. I am 50, I have to cherish this chance." He honestly said that halfway through the production he had to return to Hong Kong to see a doctor. He realized that he needed rest and had to first resolve the insomnia issue. Did he regret that he could not personally complete the film? He said, "It doesn't matter. Back then many bosses were pessimistic and refused to invest. The price doesn't matter, the audience acceptance is the most important. In addition it has always been my dream, the planning alone took 10 years." He thanked Chan Ho Sun for his strong support and for being his film teacher.

As for box office pressure, Chan Tak Sum honestly said that the box office pressure was on Chan Ho Sun. With numerous actors, he praised everyone for holding their own. As for Leon Lai Ming's "beggar" look, he praised Leon who has always played heroes and romantic leads for playing a lost and confused rich kid. Leon did not mind the real flies around him. He even put honey on his facial hair to attract them. Ting Fung was an even bigger surprise. Although he only played a small character, a rickshaw puller, he did not mind his scarred look. In order to save three hours of make up time he even slept with the make up on, which surprised him and made up his mind about working with Ting Fung again.

[2009.12.03] BEST ACTOR NICK CHEUNG REMAINS LOW KEY WITH DAUGHTER

Albert Yeung Sau Sing, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Dante Lam Chiu Yin

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After winning the Taiwan Golden Horse Best Actor, Nick Cheung Ka Fai two nights ago continued to work on his new film THE STOOL PIGEON (SIN YUN). The film held a celebration at the shoot for his award as well as his birthday. Boss Albert Yeung Sau Sing, manager Mani Fok Man Hei, director Dante Lam Chiu Yin and Miao Pu attended.

Yeung Sau Sing hug Ka Fai many times, praised him as the pride of the company and encouraged him to keep up the hard work. Mani and Miao Pu gave him a shirt and a belt so Ka Fai would continue to have pretty clothes to accept awards in. Ka Fai said about the boss' praise, "I still need the boss to have the guts to make more edgy subjects." Ka Fai expressed that he experienced Hong Kong film's glory days. Although now the production rate has reduced, he believed that film professionals' passion has not subsided and would still make high quality films.

Winning five major awards with THE BEAST STALKER (JING YUN), Ka Fai said that he did not have time to celebrate with his friends. Now he had to plan to celebrate with all his friends at once. He said, "If each of them treated, how can I eat so many meals? I would be a goner." As for his birthday, Ka Fai said that he never celebrated it too much. Before work he only cut a cake at home and wished good health and happiness for everyone and good movies for him. Did he tell his daughter about the victory? Ka Fai said, "She is still too young to understand. I told her I won an award. She touched it then returned to play with her toys." Ka Fai said that he might not explain the award too much to his daughter to keep her from thinking it was a big deal.

[2009.12.03] CONFUCIUS LAUNCHES OFFICIAL SITE

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The epic film CONFUCIUS yesterday held an official site launch in Beijing. Attendees included director Hu Mei, writer Chen Han, cinematographer Peter Pau Tak Fun, and lead Ren Quan. At the event, the film even announced the 6 minute long first episode of the production special, FROM CHOW YUN FAT TO CONFUCIUS.

In the special Confucius' "martial art" scenes were only a few seconds long. Confucius used the staff in his hand to knock the short sword out of the barbarian's hand, then put the staff to the barbarian chief's throat. For a few moments, people seemed to have watch his CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON character. In the special two more memorable parts were Chow Yun Fat in order to display Confucius' "six arts" practiced Gu Qin and finally played an ancient song personally. Also, in the three chilling winter months in Beijing Chow Yun Fat did not use a double as he fell into the muddy water time after time.

[2009.12.03] DANIEL WU SNEEZES HIS FACE OFF

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Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) and Stephen Fung Tak Lun are good friends. Recently in JUMP (TIU CHOOK HUI) they worked together again. This time Ng Yin Cho guest starred as a "ninth rate" cosmetic surgeon who not only solicited clients but also performed surgery on himself. With his after surgery handsome look he convinced Kitty Zhang Yuqi and Yao Wenxue to be his clients. Yet due to the flu he sneezed too hard and all his facial features fell off. With Tin Kai Man's voice the scene was hilarious.

Although it was only an one day performance, Ng Yin Cho did not slack off at all as he put his full effort into performance and showed his comedic talent. He not only made the crew roar with laughter but also Zhang Yuqi who had several bad times. Ng Yin Cho hoped that film companies after seeing his first comedic performance would consider him for comedy roles. After STEPHEN'S DIARY director Fung Tak Lun again called in favors. He said, "I hoped to drastic difference between before and after the surgery and strength the comedy. Thus before the surgery I used Frog (Tin Kai Man)'s face. After the surgery it had to be shocking. Ng Yin Cho was not only able to expressed that shocking difference but also brought a sense of humor. He truly was suitable for this role. He also performed very well. His grasp of the pace was top notch!" He even expressed appreciation for his buddy's help. He could not afford his salary and was only able to give him a laisee and a private dinner.

[2009.12.02] HUANG XIAOMING REPRISES FLIRTING SCHOLAR 2

Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Jingchu

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Yesterday afternoon, the film FLIRTING SCHOLAR 2 (TONG BAK FU DIM CHAU HEUNG 2) announced its production start in Beijing. Before the event the company kept the identities of the leads secret. Mainland actors Huang Xiaoming and Zhang Jingchu will play the new version Tong Bak Fu and Chau Heung. Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) and Zhou Libo will play the other three prodigies Jook Ji San, Tsui Ching Hing, and Man Jing Man. Yuen King Tan's Sister Guava will continue to appear in the sequel, as well as Madame Hua Cheng Pei Pei and Mother Tong Mimi Chu.

Jimmy Heung Wa Sing who produced hit films like GOD OF GAMBLERS (DOH SUN) and FIGHT BACK TO SCHOOL (TOH HOK WAI LUNG) eased out of the Hong Kong film industry for years. Recently with the thriving Mainland film market he decided to return. Months ago he released the "5510 Great Film Project". This film will be Huang Xiaoming's first film with 5510 Project. Heung Wa Sing paid a lot of attention on this project's first film investment. For a good first shot, the actor suitability and box office draw in three lands on both sides of the strait are rather important. With so many excellent actors, Heung Wa Sing gave the nod to Huang Xiaoming to play the role and praised his strong potential. The ability to play both good and evil was very rare among young actors. Director Lee Lik Chi expressed that lately he just saw Huang Xiaoming in THE MESSAGE. His performance was a pleasant surprise and gave him a lot of confidence in Huang Xiaoming's ability to play Tong Bak Fu.

Huang Xiaoming played the role in a television series seven years ago. At the time he played a "cute" Tong Bak Fu that was very popular with the audience. Its rating remained high and now it is still hot in Japan and other areas. Huang Xiaoming was able to play both reputable and comedic, costume and modern then. This time the film added a lot of fighting and dancing, which with Huang Xiaoming's martial art film and music background would be a piece of cake. He was considered the perfect choice for the role in the Mainland.

Stephen Chow Sing Chi's portrayal was very memorable. When asked whether he was confident about exceeding it, Huang Xiaoming very humbly expressed, "Sing Yeh is the 'King of Comedy', I am fighting to be a 'Little King of Comedy'. Sing Yeh has always been my idol. His Tong Bak Fu was a classic. Classics can't be exceeded, but I am confident about shaping a special Tong Bak Fu."

The press conference venue was decorated like a mansion and even the crew was dressed like servants. The most important "Chau Heung selection" was also special. First eight young women dressed in the traditional red Chinese wedding gown came on stage with their veils.  Reporters and online representatives guessed which one was Chau Heung. Finally the Huang Xiaoming played Tong Bak Fu unveiled the real Chau Heung as Zhing Jingchu. That day, after the event the team rushed to the Hengdian set to start the shoot the next day.

[2009.12.02] NICHOLAS TSE RUSHES WORK TO BE WITH HIS WIFE

AngelaBaby

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Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) and Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) decline a kiss scene reenactment but opt for the hug.

Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon), Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, AngelaBaby

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The film CHUEN SING YIT LUEN YIT LAT LAT (CITY WIDE ROMANCE HOT HOT HOT) yesterday held a simultaneous press conference in both Hong Kong and Beijing. Attending the Hong Kong press conference were director Wing Shya Wing Hong, actors Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon) and AngelaBaby. Attending the Beijing press conference were Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) and Michelle Wai (Si Nga). The actors spoke via video conference, but due to communication issues not only were the screens unclear but even the conversation could not be heard clearly. No wonder Ting Fung joked, "I am better off calling Ng Yin Cho myself." Jacky Cheung Hok Yau was absent.

Ting Fung revealed that because the director asked for a summer feel in the film, everyday at work he had to grease up. He joked, "I was like a wax duck as I stood there while people applied grease on me. Although I was very frustrated and sticky all over, but the result was great." Currently Ting Fung is working on THE STOOL PIGEON (SIN YUN), later he will work on NEW SHAOLIN (Sun Siu Lum Ji) in the Mainland. He had very little time to be with his pregnant wife Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi. He pointed out that Pak Chi was fine and did not vomit too much. In a week or two they would know the sex of the child. Ting Fung said that Pak Chi was not depressed from the pregnancy because she had their son to keep her company. She asked him after NEW whether he would make more movies because she wanted him to remain in Hong Kong. Ting Fung explained that last time when they had Lucas he was working on an ad campaign in Hong Kong. When she was ready he immediately dropped everything to be with her. She would like him to stay in Hong Kong with her again. Was Lucas happy or jealous? Ting Fung said that he was only still little but Pak Chi would still carry him.

Big S is working on GIM YU GONG WU in Hengdian and two days ago took time off to attend this press conference then return to work. Big S recalled that daily oil application. Due to the heat all the clothes had to be rolled off during changing. She also wore a wig to shoot on location in Mongkok, even reporters could not recognize her. Although in GIM she had mostly dramatic scenes, for one swordplay scene she got hurt right away. Now both of her knees were bruised. She said, "For my first swordplay I would like the action to be prettier. Originally I asked the director to give me a sword to practice with, but I was worried that it won't pass Customs. So I only used newspaper or sticks to practice."

The trendy looking AngelaBaby in the film played a "factory girl". She expressed that while working in Beijing she seemed to be isolated from the world, her skin was very well nurtured. Yet due to her recent busy schedule her skin deteriorated again and she had to take Chinese herbal medicine. As for earlier accusation of her poor acting, she said, "When the film is released then you can review! I am still new, I should have room for improvement."

[2009.12.02] VICKI ZHAO GETS RETURN ON HER WEIGHT LOSS

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MULAN (FA MUK LAN) opened nationwide last Friday. On its first week its box office reached 32 million and exceeded industry expectation due to competition from science fiction special effect film 2012 and American record breaker TWILIGHT: NEW MOON. MULAN was able to make a mark among the two big releases and encouraged the industry.

The film was also director Jingle Ma Chor Sing's highest opening in the Mainland. He said, "The film's success was due to the audience's support of national films. Although big Hollywood films came roaring in, the story is legendary and the cast was extremely attractive to the audience." Vicki Zhao Wei was very happy to learn about the box office success. "This film is the most difficult in my film career. Not only did I have to frequently wear the heavy armor, I also had to handle one after another action sequence. After making this film I was a dozen or so pounds lighter."